Rahul Kar
Independent Researcher
India
Abstract
This manuscript investigates the optimization of heat transfer in plate fin heat exchangers using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques available up to 2015. A characteristic challenge in plate fin heat exchangers is balancing high thermal performance with minimal pressure drop. This study employs Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations combined with standard k‐ε turbulence modeling to analyze flow and thermal fields within various fin geometries, including straight, offset strip, and louvered configurations. Three industrial case studies—from natural gas pre‐cooler, automotive charge‐air cooler, and air‐conditioning condensers—are presented to demonstrate practical implications. Research gaps are identified regarding mesh sensitivity, conjugate heat transfer modeling, and non‐uniform inlet conditions. A detailed methodology outlines geometry creation, meshing strategies, boundary conditions, and solver settings in FLUENT™. Simulation results reveal that offset strip fins yield up to 20 % enhancement in heat transfer coefficient compared to straight fins under identical pumping power, while louvered fins achieve more uniform temperature distribution. Pressure drop penalties and trade‐offs are quantified. Conclusions highlight that a combined optimization approach—tuning fin pitch, height, and aspect ratio—can achieve optimal thermal and hydraulic performance. Ten key references up to 2016 are provided in APA style.
Keywords
Plate fin heat exchanger, Computational fluid dynamics, Turbulence modeling, Fin geometry optimization, Heat transfer enhancement
References
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